BC HOME LEARNERS' ASSOCIATION
Promoting & Protecting the Freedoms of Homeschoolers

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Current News

Open Letter to BC Home Learning Families from the BCHLA Board of Directors

Dear Fellow Home Learners:

As many of you know, the BC Home Learners' Association (BCHLA), after over 20 years of representing home education families in BC, faced the threat of dissolution on November 16.

For several years, membership in the BCHLA and participation on its Board has been dwindling, leaving a handful of people carrying a heavy load. There are many reasons for this, among them confusion over membership eligibility, difficulties reaching potential members, and a lack of awareness in those of us enjoying our home learning freedoms.

When the word went out across the province, however, there was an overwhelming chorus of support from home learners who dreaded the prospect of losing the organization so instrumental in achieving and protecting our homeschooling rights under Sections 12 & 13 of the School Act.

To the relief of many, including the Board of Directors, the resolution was voted down at the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

As all the Directors from the previous Board were stepping down, a new Board of Directors was elected from the small group of eligible members present. Those Directors were: Sabrina Fast, Tanja Neely, Sherri Piechnik, and Melanie Wilkins-Ho. Sherri has since stepped down from the Board, and Rebecca McClure has been appointed as a Director. Sabrina has also stepped down. Several other individuals from across the province have indicated an interest in being on the Board and new appointments will be made soon.

The new Board wishes to move forward in closer partnership with home learning families across BC, creating an infrastructure that will encourage and support a diverse and active membership, regardless of location, philosophy, or the choice to register or enroll.

The best way to ensure that we have the ear of the provincial government in matters related to Sections 12 and 13 of the School Act is to have a strong organization with a united voice. If you haven't already done so, please join us as a BCHLA member. We are currently working to re-establish strong communication with the membership through the members' Yahoo! discussion group, regionally based representatives, and the BCHLA newsletter. We will also explore technology that will help us overcome geographical barriers for voting and attending the AGM, allowing more members an active voice.

We sincerely thank the outgoing Board for their hard work and leadership in a difficult time for the organization. Their ongoing dedication to the BCHLA is an inspiration to all of us.

We also wish to acknowledge each of you who rallied last week to show overwhelming support to this organization. You made a big difference in the outcome of the vote on the resolution, even if you weren't physically present. Thank you.

Warm regards,

Melanie Wilkins-Ho, President

Rebecca McClure, Vice President

Tanja Neely, Secretary-Treasurer